Gearbox temperature measurement device

ABSTRACT

A transmission in combination with a temperature measurement device and a device exterior to the transmission. The transmission includes a rotatable housing which drives a wheel of a vehicle, a wireless transceiver in communication with a thermistor embedded within molding, a battery embedded within the molding, and the molding resides within the housing. The temperature measurement device resides in a wall of the rotatable housing and the rotatable housing includes an interior volume. The interior volume of the rotatable housing is partially filled with oil for lubrication of transmission components residing within the interior volume of the housing. The temperature measurement device is rotated through the oil and out of the oil within the rotating housing when the rotating housing is in motion. The wireless transceiver is in communication with the device exterior to the transmission and communicates a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor and battery state of charge information to the device exterior to the transmission.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of the wireless gearbox temperaturemeasurement devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mechanical components, including gearboxes, wear over time andeventually experience failure. It is helpful for the equipment operatorto understand when failure is approaching so that corrective action canbe taken to prevent the component failure from occurring. Indications ofimpending gearbox failure include an increase in temperature, increasedvibration levels of specific parts, and a change in oil chemistry.

Presently, most mechanical components, particularly those in mobileequipment, do not have this condition monitoring. Although periodicmaintenance and replacement of the mechanical components results infailures being avoided, the information that could be used to preventfailures is not available.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,581,434 to Discenzo et al. states in the Abstractthereof as follows: “A system that facilitates device and/or machinerydiagnostics, prognostics and control by way of condition sensing, suchas sensing the condition of the device and/or a fluid of the device(e.g., fluid health indicators). The system can employ a plurality ofsensors to determine a current state and estimate a future state of thefluid and/or device, as well as providing control of the device, e.g.,in order to increase the remaining useful life of the fluid and/oroperation of the device. The sensors can communicate wirelessly witheach other, with the device, and/or with a central control system thatprovides, e.g., sensor fusion, prognostics and control integration. Inaddition, the sensors can be powered locally based upon the physical orchemical properties of the environment.”

U.S. Pat. No. 9,329,579 to Slupsky et al. states in the Abstract thereofas follows: “A wireless sensor device includes a processor connected toa wireless transmitter and at least one sensor, and a power sourceconnected to power the processor and the wireless transmitter. Theprocessor has two or more states. An internal control element senses atleast one predetermined condition. The internal control element switchesthe processor between states based on the occurrence of at least onepredetermined condition. A molded body encloses at least the processor,the wireless transmitter, and the internal control sensor. The internalcontrol sensor is physically isolated within the molded body.”

U.S. Pat. No. 9,746,452 to Worden et al. states in the Abstract thereofas follows: “System including a sensor configured to be disposed withina reservoir of a machine having moving parts that are lubricated by aliquid in the reservoir. The sensor is configured to obtain ameasurement of the liquid that is representative of at least one of aquantity or quality of the liquid in the reservoir. The system alsoincludes a device body operably coupled to the sensor. The device bodyhas a processing unit that is operably coupled to the sensor andconfigured to generate first data signals representative of themeasurement of the liquid. The device body also includes a transmitterthat is configured to wirelessly communicate the first data signals to aremote reader.”

U.S. Pat. No. 9,933,337 to White et al. states in the Abstract thereofas follows: “A wireless sensor for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-dutyvehicle is provided. The wheel end assembly includes a wheel hub and ahub cap mounted on the wheel hub. The sensor includes mounting meansdisposed in the hub cap. Sensing means are mounted on the mounting meansto sense at least one condition of the vehicle. A processor is mountedon the mounting means and is electrically connected to the sensing meansto process data from the sensing means. Communication means are mountedon the mounting means and are electrically connected to the processor tocommunicate the processed data to a user. An electrical energy storagedevice is mounted on the mounting means and is electrically connected tothe sensing means, the processor and the communication means, enablingthe sensor to be independent from the vehicle power supply. The sensoralso accommodates components of a tire inflation system.”

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0029156 A1 toVernacchia et al. states in the Abstract thereof as follows: “A wirelesssensor System for a transmission and other powertrain components in amotor vehicle includes a wireless sensor connected to a component of themotor vehicle. The wireless sensor includes an antenna in communicationwith a wireless power source and with a wireless transceiver. Thewireless power source includes an emitter that creates anelectromagnetic resonance between the emitter and the sensor. Thewireless transceiver is in communication with the sensor and sends andreceives signals to and from the wireless SSO.”

PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2011/104433 A1 to ESPOTEL Oystates in the Abstract thereof as follows: “A system for monitoring thecondition of planetary gears, the system comprising a base station (7)including an induction antenna (8) for energy transfer and wireless datatransfer means, and a wireless sensor device (9) mounted in connectionwith the planetary wheel of the planetary gear, the device comprisingmeans (11) for receiving energy transmitted by induction, means (13) forstoring energy transferred by induction for the operation of the sensordevice, measuring sensors (10, 15) for collecting and storing conditionmonitoring data, and wireless data transfer means (11, 12, 8) fortransmitting the measurement results to the base station (7).”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The wireless gearbox temperature measurement device measures conductedtemperature of the oil (hydraulic fluid) within the gearbox(transmission) and transmits it to a device that can be accessed by theuser or transmits it to a device that is part of a control system of thevehicle. It is important to note that the gearbox may include a housingthat rotates. The temperature measurement device in a rotating gearboxis alternately in the oil within the gearbox and the atmosphere abovethe oil in the gearbox.

The various components of a rotating gearbox such as shafts, splines,sun gears, input planet gears, input planet carriers, output sun gears,output planets, and output planet carriers, housing, housing ring gears,bearings, etc. are alternately submersed in and out of the oil withinthe gearbox. In a rotating gearbox, the temperature measurement deviceis rotated with the housing of the gearbox. In the rotating gearbox, thetemperature measurement device is located in the rotatable cover platewhich rotates with the rotatable housing. Alternatively, the temperaturemeasurement device can be located in the rotatable housing if there is aposition available that does not interfere with various componentswithin the rotating gearbox.

As used herein, “oil” means the “lubricating oil” within the gearbox. Asused herein, “gearbox” means the “transmission.” The gearbox is poweredby a motor and the motor may be an electric motor or a hydraulic motor.The signal transmission is done using wireless communication, which canbe WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other wireless protocol. Examples ofother operating parameters that could be measured include speed,vibration, pressure, torque, and oil condition. Of course, a differentoperating system other than the one employed herein will be used tomeasure those other parameters, namely, speed, vibration, pressure,torque, and oil.

The signal transmitted by the peripheral gearbox sensor is received by acentral device such as a smartphone or a display module that includes acombination of features such as lights, an information screen, and/or aController Area Network (CAN) connection hardwired to a vehiclecontroller. The signal could also be received by a computer andtransmitted to a cloud storage service. From the cloud, the transmissionmanufacturer or the vehicle manufacturer can notify the owner/lessee ofthe equipment that service is needed.

During operation, the temperature measurement device interacts with thegearbox to provide a wireless electromagnetic signal that represents theoperating temperature of the components of the gearbox. The temperaturesensor will be subjected to a heat source (oil and ambient volume)within the gearbox that causes its resistance or other property tochange with temperature. The heat source is the oil and the atmospherewithin the rotating or stationary gearbox. If the various components ofthe transmission experience an increase in temperature, there may be toomuch friction in the components. Increased friction then imparts anincrease in the oil temperature which is sensed by the thermistor(temperature sensor).

A power source such as a battery or energy harvesting device providesthe electrical potential (energy) for the electronics, the sensor, thetransceiver and other components of the temperature measurement deviceto operate. The wireless output signal of the temperature measurementdevice is conditioned by the electronics assembly and provided as inputto the microcontroller, which includes the software required. Themicrocontroller interfaces with or includes the wireless communicationdevice (transceiver) and antenna. A control algorithm provides gearboxcondition updates in a way that minimizes energy consumption in order toextend the life of the battery. When the temperature of the gearboxexceeds a threshold level, the circuit is activated to wirelesslytransmit the signal to the operator or to a Controller Area Network(control system) which is set up to control the operation of thegearbox/transmission by controlling the speed and input torques to thegearbox/transmission. Moreover, there may be any number of thresholdlimits established to provide various levels of alert to the operator orthe control system. One example given herein, is the use of three (3)temperature threshold limits which are set for alarm or control action.

The main advantage of the temperature device is that it providescritical information about the temperature of the oil within thestationary or rotating gearbox. This allows decisions to be madeconcerning operation, maintenance, performance, or life expectancy ofthe gearbox, its components, or the larger machine in which the gearboxis installed. The larger machine is typically a tractor used on a farm,a truck used in a mining operation, an earth mover operating above orbelow ground.

Another advantage is that the wireless gearbox temperature sensor can beinstalled as a retrofit in existing gearboxes without significant (or inmost cases any) modification to the gearbox(es) or machine(s). Forinstance, an existing fill or drain line in the cover plate may be used.The temperature measurement device may simply be threadedlyinterconnected with the existing fill or drain line.

The temperature measurement device allows communication using variouswireless methods including Bluetooth. The temperature measurement devicemay be interrogated by the operator if desired. For instance, theoperator may feel that there is a problem with the drive systemcontrolling one of the wheels of his tractor, truck etc. and he mayinterrogate the temperature measurement device to learn about thetemperature, hence the friction, within the gearbox/transmission.

It is an object of the invention to provide a temperature measurementdevice in a transmission, comprising: a rotatable housing; saidrotatable housing drives a wheel affixed thereto; said temperaturemeasurement device resides in a wall of said rotating housing; saidrotatable housing is partially filled with oil for lubrication oftransmission components; said temperature measurement device is rotatedthrough said oil and out of said oil within said rotatable housing; and,said temperature measurement device includes a wireless transceiver incommunication with a thermistor embedded within a sensor housing.

It is an object of the invention to provide a temperature measurementdevices in a transmission in combination with a control system,comprising: a rotatable housing; said rotatable housing drives a wheelaffixed thereto; said temperature measurement device resides in a wallof said rotatable housing; said rotatable housing is partially filledwith oil for lubrication of transmission components; said temperaturemeasurement device is rotated through said oil and out of said oilwithin said rotatable housing; said temperature measurement deviceincludes a wireless transceiver in communication with a thermistorembedded within a sensor housing; and, a control system for monitoringthe temperature of the oil taking into consideration the operationalcondition of the transmission.

It is an object of the invention to provide a temperature sensor in atransmission wherein said temperature is mounted in the end cover plate.

It is an object of the invention to provide a transmission incombination with a temperature monitoring device and a device exteriorto said transmission, comprising: said transmission includes a rotatablehousing; said rotatable housing drives a wheel of a vehicle affixedthereto; said temperature monitoring device includes a housing, awireless transceiver in communication with a thermistor embedded withinmolding, a battery embedded within said molding, and said moldingresides within said housing of said temperature monitoring device; saidtemperature monitoring device resides in a wall of said rotatablehousing and rotates therewith; said rotatable housing includes aninterior volume, and said interior volume of said rotatable housing ispartially filled with oil for lubrication of transmission componentsresiding within said interior volume of said housing, said transmissioncomponents include a rotatable shaft, a rotatable gear, and a rotatablebearing; said temperature monitoring device is rotated through said oiland out of said oil within said rotating housing when said rotatinghousing is in motion; and said wireless transceiver in communicationwith said device exterior to said transmission, said wirelesstransceiver communicating a temperature measurement from saidtemperature sensor and battery state of charge information to saiddevice exterior to said transmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the temperature measurement device.

FIG. 1 A is a top view of the temperature measurement device.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the temperature measurement device.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the temperature measurement devicetaken along the lines 1C-1C of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is an exploded view of the temperature measurement device.

FIG. 1E is an end view of the housing of the temperature measurementdevice.

FIG. 1F is a side view of another example of the temperature measurementdevice without insulation covering the entire temperature sensor.

FIG. 1G is a cross-sectional view of the temperature measurement deviceillustrated in FIG. 1F.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the molding covering the electronics (includingthe battery), transceiver and temperature sensor of the temperaturemeasurement device.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the molding covering the electronics(including the battery), transceiver and temperature sensor of thetemperature measurement device.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the molding covering theelectronics (including the battery), transceiver, battery andtemperature sensor taken along the lines 2B-2B of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the temperature measurement devicewithout the insulation illustrating the electronics, transceiver,battery and temperature sensor.

FIG. 3A is a top view of the temperature measurement device without theinsulation illustrating the electronics and transceiver.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the temperature measurement deviceillustrating the transceiver, the electronics, battery and thetemperature sensor.

FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the temperature measurement device.

FIG. 4 is an end view of a transmission with the temperature measurementdevice mounted in the end plate and rotatable with the transmission.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the transmission illustrating thetemperature measurement device mounted in the cover plate.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4A illustrating thetemperature measurement device in the cover plate.

FIG. 4C is an end view of the transmission similar to FIG. 4A with thetransmission rotated upwardly and with the temperature measurementdevice out of the lubricating fluid within the transmission.

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the transmission in the position ofFIG. 4C.

FIG. 4E is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4D illustrating thetemperature measurement device in the cover plate.

FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic of a thermistor used as a sensorelement.

FIG. 5A is an electrical schematic of a battery voltage measurement andvoltage across the voltage regulator.

FIG. 5B is a schematic of the transceiver logic for the temperaturemeasurement device and the display device/controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The wireless gearbox temperature device 99 communicates the thermistorvoltage 512 and battery voltage 513 measurements to a central device 558so that the equipment operator can be notified of the gearboxtemperature and battery state of charge. See FIG. 5B. In order tomaximize the time between necessary battery 137 replacements, themicrocontroller 555 of the wireless temperature measurement device 99 isplaced in sleep mode 554 and is awakened and communicates updates onlywhen certain conditions are met. An algorithm that accomplishes theenergy savings is set forth in FIG. 5B and is discussed in more detailbelow.

The wireless gearbox temperature measurement device 99 is comprised of atemperature sensor 101S, an electronics assembly 101, molding material102, and a metal housing 103. The body of the housing 103 includesthreads 104 for assembly with a threaded aperture 401A in a cover plate401C of a transmission 88 but may be mounted in a different way. Themetal housing 103 can be made of plastic if so desired.

The electronics assembly 101 includes a circuit board assembly 131,wireless module 130, and a temperature sensor 101S. A battery 137 may beincluded. The wireless module 130 contains a microcontroller 555 andantenna 557 tailored for WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other communicationprotocol. The temperature sensor 101S may be a thermistor, RTD(resistance temperature detector), capacitor, or thermocouple. If acapacitor is used it must be exposed directly to the oil in the fluiddirectly and not encased in molded material.

As shown in the various drawing figures, the electronics assembly 101 isencapsulated by the molding material 102 separately and then installedinto the housing 103 or alternatively the molding 102 is performed whilethe electronics are within the housing 103.

The wireless gearbox temperature sensor 99 is shown in FIGS. 1-1G. Asshown in FIGS. 4-4E, the wireless gearbox temperature measurement deviceis installed in a rotating gearbox. The temperature measurement devicecan be installed anywhere in the rotating gearbox as long it does notinterfere with the gears, and other components within the gearbox. Thetemperature measurement device may be installed in one of the existingfill-drain plugs in the cover plate 401C. The wireless gearboxtemperature measurement device 99 may also be used in a stationarygearbox. In the example set forth herein, the wireless temperaturemeasurement device 99 is used in a rotatable gearbox 88, the gearboxincludes an outer drum or housing 428 which rotates the measurementdevice in and out of the oil (lubricating fluid) 401F. Depending on theoil level 401L within the gearbox 88, and the speed of rotation of theouter drum or housing 428, the temperature measurement device isconstantly subjected to different submersion times within the oil 401Fdepending on the operational conditions of the transmission 88. Variousoperational parameters may be controlled as preferably set forth in FIG.5B.

FIG. 5B is a schematic 500B of transceiver logic for the temperaturemeasurement using the temperature sensor 99. Temperature sensor 99senses the temperature of the oil 401F and the atmosphere 401E of thegearbox if the gearbox is rotating. If the gearbox is not rotating then,the temperature measurement device 99 may be located within the oil 401Fwhich resides generally below the centerline of the gearbox. Stillreferring to FIG. 5B, the temperature sensor 99 provides a temperaturemeasurement 550 which is input into comparator 551 wherein the gearboxtemperature, Tg, 550 is compared to three different thresholds Tt1, Tt2,and Tt3. For instance, the first threshold Tt1 indicates the firsttemperature level that the operator or control system should be awareof. Two additional temperature thresholds are indicated in FIG. 5B. asTt2 and Tt3. Tt2 is another temperature level requiring a more severeand more frequent warning to the operator indicating possible/probabledegradation of the oil 401F within the gearbox. Higher oil 401Ftemperatures in the gearbox 88 can be an indication of problems in thegearbox, for instance increased friction between gears, splines, andbearings and other components will cause the oil temperature toincrease. Still further, a third temperature level Tt3 may be employedwhich provides an indication of a yet more urgent condition (ie, oiltemperature and hence transmission degradation) to the operator or thecontrol system. The control system may employ CAN architecture whichreceives a wireless temperature measurement from the temperaturemeasurement device. The control device 558 receives the temperaturemeasurement of the oil 401F within the transmission 88. The controldevice may be a remote display of any type, a smart phone, a pad, apersonal computer (laptop) or any other device using any knowntransmission protocol 580.

Still further, different control schemes may be utilized. For instance,derivative control is used in temperature processes to anticipate thefuture value of the temperature where the process changes consistently.Degradation of the lubricating fluid (oil) 401F in a transmission isusually a slow process if everything within the transmission is workingproperly and therefore prediction of problems (based on derivativecontrol aspects) with a slowly changing process variable such astemperature are not necessary or informative due to the extremelylong-time constants involved. However, derivative control is usefulwhere the process variable is changing consistently with a reasonablyshort time constant. Thermistors are preferably used as the sensor ofchoice as they provide a shorter time constant, or, put another way, afaster response as compared to a thermocouple. FIG. 5B is a schematic ofthe transceiver logic for the temperature measurement.

Still referring to FIG. 5B, if the comparators 551, 552, 553 do notindicate action to be taken, then the logic goes into sleep mode 554.The logic will continuously sample the temperature measurement 550, Tg,for evaluation against the thresholds Tt1, Tt2 and Tt3.

Still referring to FIG. 5B, if the comparators 551, 552, 553, indicatean alarm condition or a condition where action must be taken by theoperator or a control system, then the comparator signals the controller555 which will periodically indicate that the transmitter 557 sends awireless transmit data request 556 to the remote display 558 and/orController Area Network (CAN) connection hardwired to the vehiclecontroller. The remote display 558 may be an instrument mounted on thecontrol panel of the vehicle or it may be a handheld device such as asmartphone, a computerized pad device, laptop computer, and the like.Further, the wireless signal 580 emanating from the temperaturemeasurement device can also be sent to a controller on board the vehicleusing any one of several wireless protocol 580 such as WiFi, Blue Toothetc. The controller is part of a CAN network which necessarily controlsoperation of the wheels of the vehicle. As stated herein, thegearbox/transmission 88 is driven by an electric motor or hydraulicmotor.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view 400A of the transmission 88illustrating the temperature measurement device mounted in the coverplate 401C. The driving device (not shown) of the transmission may be anelectric or hydraulic motor controlled by the vehicle operator orcontrolled by an on-board control system. The driving device powers thegearbox and the wheel affixed thereto. The driving devices arecontrolled by the operator or by an on-board control system.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view 100 of the temperature measurement device99. Molding 102 surrounds the electronics 101, the battery 137, thetransceiver 130 and the temperature measurement sensor 101S. See FIG. 2Bwhich is a cross-sectional view 200B of the temperature measurementdevice 99 taken along the lines 2B-2B of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a top view200 of the molding 102 surrounding the electronics 101 and thetemperature measurement sensor 101S. A threaded shank 104 is illustratedin FIG. 1 and is used to secure the temperature measurement device 99 toa corresponding threaded aperture 401A in the cover 401C of thetransmission.

FIG. 1A is a top view 100A of the temperature measurement device 99.Metal housing 103 of the temperature measurement device 99 partiallysurrounds the molding 102. The molding 102 is secured to the metalhousing 103 by heating the molding material such that it binds to themetal housing thus forming a temperature measurement device 99 having anintegral temperature sensor 101S, electronics 101, molding 102, andhousing 103. Alternatively, the molded material may be adhered to themetal housing using adhesive 103C. FIG. 1D indicates an arrow 103C whichis the adhesive added to the interior surfaces to receive theelectronics and sensor which are covered with molded material 102, 102S.FIG. 1B is a side view 100B of the temperature measurement device 99illustrating the external threads 104.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view 100C of the temperature measurementdevice 99 taken along the lines 1C-1C of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C illustratesthe sensor 101S and the electronics 101 embedded within molding 102. Theelectronics 101 includes the transceiver (transmitter, receiver andantenna) 130, supporting electronics 131 and battery 137. FIG. 1C alsoillustrates the molding 102 within the metal housing 103. The molding102 is molded over the sensor 101S and the electronics 101. The moldedstructure with the electronics and the sensor therein is then securedwithin a cavity 103C in the metal housing. The cavity 103C is formed bycylindrically shaped wall 103W. FIG. 1D is an exploded view 100D of thetemperature measurement device 99 with the embedded sensor 101S and theembedded electronics 101 within the molding 102S and the molding 102.Still referring to FIG. 1D, a cylindrical aperture 108 is illustratedalong the centerline of the metal housing 103. FIG. 1E is an end view100E of the metal housing 102 illustrating the cavity 103C and thecylindrical aperture 108. Cylindrical aperture 108 receives the sensor101S which is surrounded by molding 102S and cavity 103C receives theelectronics (including the battery) portion 101 surrounded by molding102 of the temperature measurement device 99. The battery 127 is in anintegral portion of the electronics and can be any long-lasting battery.The molding 102S surrounds the sensor 101S and the molding 102 surroundsthe electronics and battery 102. The molding can be made of any polymercapable of handling temperatures that are typically experienced ingearboxes.

FIG. 1F is a side view 100F of another example of the temperaturemeasurement device 78 without insulation covering the entire temperaturemeasurement device 78. In particular, in this example the temperaturesensor 101S is not completely covered with insulation. The example ofFIG. 1F will provide faster time response because the sensor itself isin direct contact with the lubricating oil. FIG. 1G is a cross-sectionalview 100G of the temperature measurement device 78 illustrated in FIG.1E. FIG. 1G illustrates the temperature sensor 101S protruding outsidethe metal housing 103 and the insulation 102S.

FIG. 2 is a top view 200 of the molding 102 covering the electronics(including the battery) and temperature sensor of the temperaturemeasurement device 99. FIG. 2A is a side view 200A of the molding 102,102S covering the electronics (including the battery) 101 andtemperature sensor 101S of the temperature measurement device 98. FIG.2B is a cross-sectional view 200B of the molding covering theelectronics (including the battery) 102 and temperature sensor 101Staken along the lines 2B-2B of FIG. 2. As previously stated, theinsulation is molded over the electronics (including the battery) andtemperature sensor of the temperature measurement device 99.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view 300 of the temperature measurement devicewithout the insulation illustrating the electronics 101 including thebattery 137 and the temperature sensor 101S. FIG. 3A is a top view 300Aof the temperature measurement device 99 without the insulationillustrating the electronics 101 including the transceiver 130,supporting electronics 131, and battery 137. FIG. 3B is a side view 300Bof the electronics 101, battery 137, and the temperature sensor 101S ofthe temperature measurement device 99 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3A.FIG. 3C is a bottom view 300C of the electronics 101, battery 137 andthe temperature sensor 101S of the temperature measurement device 99.

FIG. 4 is an end view 400 of a transmission 88 with the temperaturemeasurement device 99 mounted in the rotatable cover plate 401C rotatingwith the transmission 88. It is noted that the temperature measurementdevice 99 is located at the bottommost rotational position. FIG. 4A is across-sectional view 400A of the transmission 88 taken along the lines4A-4A of FIG. 4 illustrating the temperature measurement device 99mounted in the cover plate 401C. FIG. 4A illustrates the temperaturemeasurement device 99 in the bottommost rotational position. Stillreferring to FIG. 4A, reference numeral 401F indicates the lubricatingoil (lubricating fluid) and reference numeral 401L indicates the levelof the lubricating oil (lubricating fluid). FIG. 4B is an enlarged view400B of a portion of FIG. 4A illustrating the temperature measurementdevice 99 mounted in an aperture 401A of the cover plate 401C, the coverplate of the transmission 401C, the lubricating fluid 401F and the levelof the lubricating fluid 401L.

FIG. 4C is an end view 400C of the transmission 88 similar to FIG. 4Awith the transmission 88 rotated upwardly and with the temperaturemeasurement device 99 out of the lubricating fluid 401F and in theuppermost position of the rotatable transmission above the oil line401L. FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view 400D of the transmission 88 inthe position of FIG. 4C. In the position as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D,the temperature measurement device 99 is illustrated above thelubricating fluid level 401L. FIG. 4E is an enlarged view 400E of aportion of FIG. 4D illustrating the temperature measurement device 99mounted in an aperture 401A of the cover plate 401C, above the fluidlevel 401L. Reference numeral 401E indicates a volume within thetransmission 88 which does not have lubricating fluid.

FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic 500 of a thermistor 501 used as asensor element 101S. A circuit schematic for a thermistor 501 is shownin FIG. 5 and a circuit schematic 500A for battery voltage 513measurement is provided in FIG. 5A. As the gearbox heats and cools, theresistance of the thermistor 501 changes and therefore so does thevoltage 512 across the thermistor. The battery voltage will decreaseover the course of the wireless gearbox temperature device operation. Avoltage regulator 508 provides a relatively fixed voltage 514 that canbe used as a reference to determine the thermistor voltage 512 and thebattery voltage 503.

A method of manufacturing a temperature measurement device is alsodisclosed herein, comprising the steps of: arranging a battery and anelectronic assembly such that the battery forms a support for, andprovides power to, a printed circuit board populated with integratedelectronic components for the operation of a wireless transceiver and atemperature sensor; placing the battery and electronic assemblyincluding the printed circuit board, the wireless transceiver and thetemperature sensor into a cavity and injecting a polymer into the cavityforming a cylindrical mold having a first diameter and a cylindricalmold having a second diameter; allowing the polymer to harden and thenremoving molded material encasing the battery, electronic assembly andprinted circuit board from the cavity; inserting the removed moldedmaterial encasing the battery, electronic assembly, printed circuitboard, and the temperature into a reciprocally shaped housing.

The method of manufacturing a temperature measurement device furthercomprises: coating an interior portion the reciprocally shaped housingwith adhesive before inserting the removed molded material encasing thebattery, electronic assembly, printed circuit board, and the temperatureinto the reciprocally shaped housing.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   78—temperature measurement device    -   88—transmission/gearbox;    -   99—temperature measurement device;    -   100—a perspective view of the temperature measurement device;    -   100A—a top view of the temperature measurement device;    -   100B—a side view of the temperature measurement device;    -   100C—a cross-sectional view of the temperature measurement        device taken along the lines 1C-1C of FIG. 1A;    -   100D—an exploded view of the temperature measurement device;    -   100E—an end view of the housing of the temperature measurement        device;    -   100E—a side view of another example of the temperature        measurement device without insulation covering the entire        temperature sensor;    -   100G—a cross-sectional view of the temperature measurement        device illustrated in FIG. 1F;    -   101—arrow indicating the electronics including the wireless        module 131 (transceiver including the antenna);    -   101S—temperature sensor, for example RTD, thermistor,        thermocouple;    -   102—molded material surrounding the electronics, transceiver        including the antenna;    -   102S—molding surrounding the temperature sensor;    -   103—housing of the temperature measurement device;    -   103C—cavity of the housing    -   103W—cylindrical wall of the housing 103;    -   104—threaded portion of the housing 103 of the temperature        measurement device 99;    -   108—cylindrical bore or aperture in the metal housing to provide        space for the temperature sensor 101S and the molding 102S        thereover;    -   131—transceiver;    -   137—battery powering the temperature measurement device;    -   200—a top view of the molding covering the electronics        (including the battery), transceiver and temperature sensor of        the temperature measurement device;    -   200A—a side view of the molding covering the electronics        (including the battery), transceiver and temperature sensor of        the temperature measurement device;    -   200B—A cross-sectional view of the molding covering the        electronics (including the battery), transceiver, battery and        temperature sensor taken along the lines 2B-2B of FIG. 2;    -   300—a perspective view of the temperature measurement device        without the insulation illustrating the electronics,        transceiver, battery and temperature sensor;    -   300A—a top view of the temperature measurement device without        the insulation illustrating the electronics and transceiver;    -   300B—a side view of the temperature measurement device        illustrating the transceiver, the electronics, battery and the        temperature sensor;    -   300C—a bottom view of the temperature measurement device;    -   400—an end view of a transmission with the temperature        measurement device mounted in the end plate and rotatable with        the transmission;    -   400A—a cross-sectional view of the transmission illustrating the        temperature measurement device mounted in the cover plate;    -   400B—an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4A illustrating the        temperature measurement device in the cover plate;    -   400C—an end view of the transmission similar to FIG. 4A with the        transmission rotated upwardly and with the temperature        measurement device out of the lubricating fluid within the        transmission;    -   400D—a cross-sectional view of the transmission in the position        of FIG. 4C;    -   400E—an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4D illustrating the        temperature measurement device in the cover plate;    -   401A—threaded aperture in the cover plate 401C;    -   401C—cover plate on the end of the transmission/gearbox 88;    -   401E—indicates a volume without oil present;    -   401F—indicates oil in a volume;    -   401L—oil level within the transmission/gearbox 88;    -   428—rotatable housing;    -   500—an electrical schematic of a thermistor used as a sensor        element;    -   500A—an electrical schematic of a battery voltage measurement        and voltage across the voltage regulator;    -   500B—a schematic of the transceiver logic for the temperature        measurement device and the display device/controller;    -   501—thermistor, variable resistance;    -   502—fixed resistor;    -   I1—current through thermistor;    -   503—battery voltage;    -   504—fixed resistance;    -   508—voltage regulator;    -   I2—current through voltage regulator;    -   513—battery;    -   514—voltage regulated;    -   550—temperature measurement;    -   551—comparator, Tg>Tt1;    -   552—comparator, Tg>Tt2;    -   553—comparator, Tg>Tt3;    -   554—sleep mode;    -   555—controller;    -   556—logic, if then, transmit request received;    -   557—transmit data (antenna);    -   558—control device; remote display, smart phone, pad, laptop        computer and/or controller area network;    -   580—wireless protocols WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or others.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A transmission in combination with atemperature measurement device and a device exterior to saidtransmission, comprising: said transmission includes a rotatablehousing; said rotatable housing drives a wheel of a vehicle affixedthereto; said temperature measurement device comprising a thermistorthat is embedded in a molding comprising a housing embedded in saidmolding, a wireless transceiver further embedded in said molding incommunication with said thermistor embedded within said molding, abattery embedded within said molding, and said molding resides withinsaid housing of said temperature measurement device to form an integralenvironmentally sealed unit; said temperature measurement device residesin a wall of said rotatable housing and rotates therewith; saidrotatable housing includes an interior volume, and said interior volumeof said rotatable housing is partially filled with oil for lubricationof transmission components residing within said interior volume of saidhousing; said temperature measurement device is rotated through said oiland out of said oil within said rotating housing when said rotatinghousing is in motion; and said wireless transceiver in communicationwith said device exterior to said transmission, said wirelesstransceiver communicating a temperature measurement from said thermistorand battery state of charge information to said device exterior to saidtransmission, and wherein said wall of said rotatable housing of saidtransmission is a wall supporting said wheel of said vehicle.
 2. Atransmission in combination with a temperature measurement device and adevice exterior to said transmission as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidwall of said rotatable housing of said transmission is a cover platethat is rotatable with said rotatable housing.
 3. A transmission incombination with a temperature measurement device and a device exteriorto said transmission as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing of saidtemperature measurement device is made of a highly conductive metal. 4.A transmission in combination with a temperature measurement device anda device exterior to said transmission as claimed in claim 3, whereinsaid highly conductive metal is stainless steel.
 5. A transmission incombination with a temperature measurement device and a device exteriorto said transmission as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device exteriorto said transmission is selected from the group consisting of asmartphone, a pad, a laptop computer, a vehicle control system and adesktop computer.
 6. A transmission in combination with a temperaturemeasurement device and a device exterior to said transmission as claimedin claim 1, wherein said device exterior to said transmission is acomputer on board said vehicle.
 7. A transmission in combination with atemperature measurement device and a device exterior to saidtransmission as claimed in claim 5, wherein said control system uses anenergy saving algorithm to maximize the life of the battery and, saidalgorithm includes use of a comparator to evaluate whether or not saidoil temperature within said transmission is greater than at least onetemperature threshold limit, and if so, provide an alarm or controlaction in said computer.
 8. A transmission in combination with atemperature measurement device and a device exterior to saidtransmission as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device exterior to saidtransmission comprises at least one wireless module.
 9. A transmissionin combination with a temperature measurement device and a deviceexterior to said transmission as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidmolding residing within said housing of said temperature measurementdevice to form an integral environmentally sealed unit is secured tosaid housing with an adhesive.
 10. A transmission in combination with atemperature measurement device, comprising: a rotating housing; saidrotating housing drives a wheel affixed thereto; said temperaturemeasurement device includes a temperature sensor residing in a wall ofsaid rotating housing, wherein the temperature measurement device is athermistor; said rotating housing is partially filled with oil forlubrication of transmission components; said temperature measurementdevice including the temperature sensor is rotated into and through saidoil within said rotating housing, and wherein said temperaturemeasurement device is also rotated out of said oil within said rotatinghousing; and said temperature measurement device being a thermistor thatincludes a housing, a wireless transceiver in communication with thethermistor embedded within molding, and said molding resides within saidhousing of said temperature measurement device.
 11. A temperaturemeasurement device in combination with a control system, comprising: arotating housing; said rotating housing drives a wheel affixed thereto;a temperature measurement device comprises a temperature sensor thatresides in a wall of said rotating housing; said rotating housingpartially filled with oil for lubrication of transmission components;said temperature measurement device rotated through said oil and out ofsaid oil within said rotating housing; said temperature measurementdevice including a wireless transceiver in communication with saidtemperature sensor embedded within a sensor housing; and, a controlsystem for monitoring the temperature of the oil and the operationalcondition of the transmission.
 12. A temperature measurement device incombination with a control system as claimed in claim 11, furthercomprising: said temperature sensor is selected from the groupconsisting of: a thermistor, RTD, capacitor, or thermocouple.
 13. Atransmission in combination with a temperature measurement device and adevice exterior to said transmission, comprising: said transmissionincludes a rotatable housing; said rotatable housing drives a wheel of avehicle affixed thereto; said temperature measurement device comprisinga thermistor that is embedded in a molding comprising a housing embeddedin said molding, a wireless transceiver further embedded in said moldingin communication with said a thermistor embedded within said molding, abattery embedded within said molding, and said molding resides withinsaid housing of said temperature measurement device to form an integralenvironmentally sealed unit; said temperature measurement device residesin a wall of said rotatable housing and rotates therewith; saidrotatable housing includes an interior volume, and said interior volumeof said rotatable housing is partially filled with oil for lubricationof transmission components residing within said interior volume of saidhousing; said temperature measurement device is rotated through said oiland out of said oil within said rotating housing when said rotatinghousing is in motion; and said wireless transceiver in communicationwith said device exterior to said transmission, said wirelesstransceiver communicating a temperature measurement from said thermistorand battery state of charge information to said device exterior to saidtransmission, said temperature measurement device is mounted in anaperture for an existing fill and drain plug for the lubricating oil.